Reader Talkback results: If Thailand requires a vaccine to visit the country or renew your visa, would you take it? - The Pattaya News



Reader Talkback results: If Thailand requires a vaccine to visit the country or renew your visa, would you take it?

Sunday, 22 November 2020, 16:35

It is time for our weekly feature results in which every week at the start of the week we ask a question for our local readers wanting YOUR feedback and thoughts. We share these results here at the end of the week from comments, mails and messages.

This weeks question is "Would you take a vaccine for Covid-19 if it was mandatory to either have to travel to Thailand or to renew your visa and stay?"

Here are some of the best and most diverse answers we had sent to us, both in comments below, email and on our social media channels. This was, by far, the largest response we have had yet to a reader talkback with hundreds of comments and mails. The majority seemed to state they would take a vaccine, although there were diverse and passionate opinions. The opinions and statements below are readers own and may or may not reflect those of The Pattaya News. We have made little to no edits, spelling errors, etc. are those of the writers.

 Dominique-All vaccines are dangerous for a small proportion of people. but sometimes useful when there is a question of death. It is far from being the case ! Make it compulsory for every body is crazy in regards of the benefits/risk balance .This one has been developed in a very short time. Of course no epidemiologist studies. It would be a world wide scandal if some countries decided that ! I am fully again such a perspective !

John- have lived here 14 years l regard this as my home if l have to have the vaccine then l must l miss my family in the UK but the situation is dire there what can one do to be safe and alive
Take care every one

Ken-Hope the Government, waits until results and complications are reported and analyzed before making any decision on making the COVID vaccinations compulsory.
I understand that many folks that were in the trials for the Pifzer vaccination developed similar symptoms as COVID and they lasted 4-days. Until a larger database shows it is safe, no decisions should be made!
If they do decide to make it compulsory they had better make it for all not just foreigners. If it is nationwide, including Thai citizens, those on retirement visa's or married visa's will be forced to take it or leave their families behind. Hell of a choice that I am sure will be challenged in courts.
If legal challenges fail, I guess I will take it.

Cliff-at this point, I really hope to never have to make the choice. I just don't trust vaccinations much on the whole though I have survived the many put into my body in younger days. And from what I understand these Covid vaccinations are essentially a new technology not used before. Very scary to me with regard to future impacts to one's health. Yes, I worry about near term impacts from a vaccination but more about future impacts since testing cannot address what happens years down the road. I fear mandatory vaccination for all is likely coming though I pray not. If only mandatory for me to renew my retirement visa then I guess I'll have to say yes with great, great fear in my heart. I don't see me dragging my Thai significant other back to my home country for a list of reasons. My home country might require it for my return anyway and for her to have it to enter. She doesn't want the vaccination either. Again, I just pray it remains voluntary across the board.

Serguei-Editor, you sound a bit like an organ of the American propaganda, as a sort of travelling salesman of the Pfizer conglomerate and does not serve the interests of the Thai people and Pattaya residents in particular. You should have informed the Thai people that there are two completely finished Russian vaccines and the government of Russia HAS ALREADY STARTED VACCINATING the Russian people by the millions. What is the development stage of the Pfizer's vaccine, 'advertised' by your article? Have not finished yet? Oh, yes, they will be finishing it 'pretty soon' as usual and then…

Stephen-Yes if it was mandatory to enter (already here) or renew a visa (due Feb 2021). You'd be an idiot not to. Firstly, failing to meet the entry requirements will get you excluded or your visa will not be renewed. Secondly, it would be a good idea if tourism is opened up and there is an increased risk of getting infected. Thirdly, having a vaccination may allow you to travel internationally – I have things to do in Spain, but if I left Thailand, I cant get back, so it would be useful if I could return.

Kanwardeep-I would certainly take the vaccine even if I am not travelling. I would support the idea of making it mandatory for everyone entering any country not just Thailand. I guess this is the need of the hour & this step would also bring the confidence back in terms of inter personal/people to people contact. I would consider this as a great step towards making the world a safe place to travel again.

Rexy-It depends on alot of variables, some people who live in Pattaya/Thailand have been there so long they wouldn't be able to face going back to their home countries as the change in their twilight years may be to much of a dilemma for them.
I certainly think that in the future there will be no choice of taking a vaccine as it will be compulsory if you wish to travel or have any conveniences to stay in other countries .
I also think that it is used to track and control where people can go
So for many it won't be much of a choice but it will just eventually be accepted and people will be herded up just like sheep.
Man likes the easiest option.
If the choice was voluntary to have a vaccine shot or not without any conditions
My answer would be no.

Bill-Yes, I would be very interested , and yes, I would welcome the vaccine, providing we could enter Thailand without having to do quarantine. Id be happy to wear a monitoring bracelet as well.

Marc-I won't be the first in line but I'll do it if necessary to live here. Right now the risk of Covid in Thailand is small but when the country opens up the risk will increase accordingly so that will weigh on my decision as well.

George-Yes we hope to have it here in March and I will be first in line . Then hopefully Thailand will allow us to holiday again

Luciano-Good morning,
I state that I am against obligations of any kind, it must be a choice not a forced one, I prefer an adequate and periodic health check. (I'd only get the vaccine once to enter the country)

Tim-

There is a lot of debate about vaccines and I totally understand people's fears that this is a "rushed" vaccine. But the world needs to find a way of getting back to normality and quickly. There are far more serious consequences to being continually locked down. Ruined businesses, Depression, and an increase in the suicide rate. 

On the other hand you have a country like Thailand with a large number of people employed in the tourism industry who are operating an eradication policy and who are adopting a "lock out" policy .. and we can clearly see the effects of this on places like Phuket, and Pattaya. Domestic tourism isn't going to fix the problem unfortunately even if it helps at Thai holiday times. Thailand has done well in its eradication policy, but not so well economically. 

The main argument from anti vaxxers that I've read is "why have a vaccine for a virus with a 99.7 % survival rate"  ( or higher figure) well I'm sorry but that's still an awful lot of unnecessary deaths in the world and secondly it is not simply about death, many people have lasting, long term symptoms of Covid-19 and I have recently seen a documented case of a lung transplant. Some people are left with chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, organ damage and other long lasting symptoms. An elderly but previously fit friend of mine has had his life absolutely ruined by it. 

The bottom line is we need this quickly. 

I have absolutely no qualms about being vaccinated against this illness. All vaccines have some side effects. This is completely normal and to be expected. This is because your body's immune system is being activated to produce the necessary antibodies and T cells to fight the infection if challenged. 

If Thailand operates a policy of entry with a vaccine certificate then good for them, I'll be first in the queue.

Hopefully by fall next year, the world will be on the road to recovery. 

I hope there's a Pattaya still left for me to come back to. 



Thai Airways prioriterar Köpenhamn i Skandinavien - flyg24nyheter

Thai Airways prioriterar Köpenhamn i Skandinavien

Simon Ericson, flyg24nyheter23 november, 2020

Köpenhamn är en av tre europeiska destinationer som Thai Airways i nuläget flyger till och det dröjer innan bolagets övriga linjer till Skandinavien kommer igång när Thai fokuserar på att samla sina linjer till de större naven.

Thai Airways gör allt man kan för att få fram kapital på grund av den dåliga ekonomiska situation bolaget befinner sig i och man har satt upp allt från Boeing 747-flygplan till bestick till försäljning. Samtidigt flyger det thailändska flygbolaget ett kraftigt minskat internationellt linjenät på grund av pandemin och fram till vintertidtabellens slut vid slutet av mars är det tre destinationer i Europa som gäller för Thai. Det är dels London och Frankfurt men också Köpenhamn. Thai Airways flyger från sitt nav i Bangkok till Köpenhamn med en Airbus A350 en gång i veckan och då med fokus på frakt och endast ett fåtal passagerare på flygningarna enligt check-in.dk. 

När Thai Airways nu fokuserar sin trafik på större nav och där försöker att samla sin passagerare som feedas in till naven från andra destinationer väljer det thailändska flygbolaget bort Oslo och Stockholm i Skandinavien. Varken Oslo eller Stockholm kommer att få se Thai Airways med reguljära flygningarna under det första kvartalet nästa år och Thai fokuserar hellre på att sätta in fler frekvenser till och från Köpenhamn innan man återupptar Bangkok-linjerna till Norge och Sverige enligt check-in.dk.

Före pandemin flög Thai Airways dagligen från Köpenhamn, Oslo och Stockholm till Bangkok och under vintern förekom också flygningar från Köpenhamn och Stockholm till Phuket. 

Thai Airways aktie stoppades från att handlas på den thailändska börsen under förra veckan efter att revisorer vägrat att kommentera flygbolagets balansräkning fram till och med september enligt Bangkok Post. Thai Airways VD uppgav att bolaget gjorde en förlust på drygt sex miljarder svenska kronor under årets tredje kvartal och man flög 92 procent färre passagerare jämfört med det tredje kvartalet år 2019. 

Bang Saen Beach reinvents itself: No smoking, no booze - better health for all. Daily News

 Bang Saen Beach reinvents itself: No smoking, no booze - better health for all

 

Image: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that a trip to Bang Saen beach in Chonburi used to be a very Thai day out.

 

People would pile onto a noisy bus smoking and drinking.

 

Once at the seaside they would continue with their cigarettes and alcohol consumption; it would be noisy, full of eating from hawkers and then leaving the mess of foam containers behind.

 

No more. 

 

Now there is a complete ban on the consumption and sale of alcohol. And smoking means a 5,000 baht fine unless it's done in airport style enclosed booths. 

 

A one kilometer stretch of the beach is for mat use only. Hawkers are banned so that tourists can have a peaceful experience.

 

No foam containers can be used.

 

The changes are being met with approval from the public and even vendors.

 

Now Bang Saen's new approach is being branded as "Clean lungs, Healthy Liver - and 'Happy Heart" (a play on the area that is Saensuk municipality.

 

Saensuk mayor Narongchai "Lek" Khunpluem is behind the remodelling. He comes from an influential Chonburi family well known for getting their way in the past.

 

But his fresh faced approach and social media savvy is winning friends.

 

Mayor Narongchai said that the changes to Bang Saen are based on the fact this is a public space where certain laws can be applied.

 

He said that in the past he was always getting complaints about second hand cigarette smoke and he claimed that 100% of people who died in the sea had gone for a dip drunk. 

 

Local businesses are onboard with the changes especially as weekends have seen Thai tourists flock to Bang Saen post height of the pandemic. The ease of travel to the resort from Bangkok always made it popular with day trippers but now it is thriving with a new breed.

 

A NIDA poll showed rave reviews regarding Covid-19 safety and said it was a good place to take the family.

 

Suwimon Srithongdee, 59, a beverage seller said she used to sell alcohol among her wares. 

 

Not doing so now has not affected her business at all and an added benefit is that people do not drive drunk back home.

 

Source: Daily News

 

Chief ASEAN economist says protests not helping Thailand’s weak economy recover

Chief ASEAN economist says protests not helping Thailand's weak economy recover

Chief ASEAN economist of Nomura, Euben Paracuelles, says Thailand's current protests are not helping Thailand's weak economy recover. In fact, Pracuelles says Thailand's economy is the weakest and slowest in the region, noting that it is in "pretty bad shape". He further says that the last thing the kingdom needs is something to weaken its recovery and that the current demonstrations are doing just that.

"We know that it is very reliant on tourism and that sector has been decimated by the Covid-19 shock."

"What we have seen in these kinds of political episodes in the past is, it's a very big distraction for the government to actually execute on these fiscal plans."

He added that the government's plans to disburse cash handouts have fallen short of initial expectations at a time when Thailand needs "private consumption to stay afloat, to at least provide some buffer" for the economy.

Nomura is also predicting that the Bank of Thailand will cut its policy rates down to 0% from .5% in the near future to help aid the delicate economy.

Such political instability certainly hasn't helped in recent months as last week's rallies saw the government firing water cannons and tear gasafter protesters targeted the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Such a scene caught international attention, prompting the Human Rights Watch to issue a letter in response that clearly condemned such actions by the government. Despite the government taking, what some say, was a heavy-handed action against the generally peaceful protesters, minor demonstrators are vowing to keep participating despite police summoning 2 teenagers for violating the emergency decree.

The PM has also announced that the lese majeste law which prohibits anyone inside the kingdom from criticising the royal family, may be enforced after remaining dormant for more than 2 years. HM the King asked the PM to limit the use of the lese majeste laws in June this year.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times

Published 

5 hours ago

 on  

22-11-2020

By 

The Thaiger

Thai central bank moves to contain baht rise - Bangkok Jack

Thai central bank moves to contain baht rise

November 21, 2020

It's all about the money, honey

Thailand's central bank unveiled yesterday new measures aimed at balancing capital flows after warning a rapid jump in the baht risked undermining the economy amid renewed inflows into emerging markets.

The Bank of Thailand will allow Thais to freely deposit and transfer funds in foreign currency deposit accounts and to directly invest more in foreign securities, Assistant Governor Vachira Arromdee told a briefing.

Foreign currency deposit accounts may also be used for residents to diversify investments into assets denominated in foreign currencies such as overseas equities and gold denominated in United States (US) dollars.

The limit on Thai investors to directly invest in foreign securities was raised to USD5 million a year from USD200,000, Vachira said.

The Bank of Thailand will lift the limit on buying foreign assets by investors regulated under the Securities Exchange Commission, and allow the listing in Thailand of foreign securities such as exchanged traded funds, she said. (continued below)

Investors will have to pre-register before being allowed to trade bonds, Vachira said, adding this would be effective early next year, while other measures should be in effect this month.

"The rapid appreciation of the baht may affect the fragile recovery of the Thai economy," Vachira said, noting the central bank "had closely monitored and intervened in the market as necessary to limit excessive currency volatility".

Head of capital markets research at Kasikornbank Kobsidthi Silpachai was sceptical the measures would have much impact given they were not all new and fundamentals remained the same.

He also warned they undermined the inflation target mandate by encouraging "investment offshore and reducing economic activity onshore".

The baht shrugged off the announcements and rose to 30.28 per US dollar at 6.06am GMT, though still above a more than 10-month high of 30.13 on Monday.



The Jack Report: How to destroy a town like Pattaya - Bangkok Jack

How to destroy a town like Pattaya

November 21, 2020

The once throbbing Pattaya Beach Road

Pattaya is now a shadow of its former self as an estimated 300,000 Thai and foreign residents have left the city.

This exodus, coupled with the princely sum of ZERO foreign tourists in SEVEN MONTHS, has left those who remain rattling around an empty shell of a once thriving seaside town on the Gulf of Thailand.

City Manager's Office chief Teerasak Jatupong claimed last week that Pattaya, at its busiest, has a half-million Thais who are registered as living elsewhere in Thailand.

Nearly all of them worked in the city's beer-bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and other tourist related sectors.

Even those who work in banks, pharmacies, hospitals, laundries, food markets and other non-tourist related businesses are only there to cater for those who do.

In other words, all the money flow comes from foreigners and the presence of foreigners.

Which is what you would expect in any holiday town. But, if you cut the foreigners out then you also cut the cash-flow down to zero. It's a simple principle.

This disaster can be traced back to the week Pattaya's genius of a mayor started throwing his weight around and forced anybody either entering or leaving the city to pass through a road-block perimeter, wearing face-nappies and signing their names into a book.

They would then be ordered around by idiots dressed in cheap uniforms and blowing whistles. (continued below)

Bicycle lanes, beaches and parks were arbitrarily shut down. Presumably because the brain of Thailand decided that cycling in a park was more dangerous than cycling on one of the main roads alongside.

This sort of thought process throughout the city over the last 6-months has driven most right-minded people away.

Even many expats, isolated from their own countries, have decided that moving to the Thai countryside, where there is still the freedom to live like a grown up, is a much better prospect than tip-toeing around Pattaya hoping not to attract the attention of the COVID 1984 authorities.

The result is a much smaller city. The mayor's office has estimated the number of people remaining simply by the amount of rubbish now collected each day.

About 500 tons a day were picked up before the sham-demic, they say. Now it is only 200 tons a day. This is an example of the thought process employed by Pattaya's finest minds.

Another example of the thinking going on is demonstrated by many of those who remain, such as tour guides, hotel employees and prostitutes who are all now pursuing new careers as street food vendors.

Without realising, it seems, that if there are no foreigners in town and 80% of their friends have already left then there will also be no customers for street food stalls either.

But they will find that out soon enough, when what remains of their savings has run out.

Already a cursory look around town reveals more street food vendors than customers.

And yet hundreds are prowling Pattaya's empty streets hawking donuts, sandwiches, tea, coffee and just about anything else that is easily made at home.

Which is what most people do.

And so with little prospect of the arrival of new tourists anytime soon Pattaya looks all set to shrink even further.

If you thought this year was bad then wait until you see 2021 when everybody's money has gone and desperation starts to set in. That is when the fun will really start. – Albert Jack 

HM donates royal title deeds - Bangkok Post

 HM donates royal title deeds

Their Majesties the King and Queen are greeted by well-wishers on Saturday after the monarch presided over the opening ceremony of Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Kwaeng Court in Ayutthaya. An elephant from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal was also present to welcome them. (Photo by the Royal Household Bureau)

His Majesty the King will today give royal land title deeds worth "10 billion baht" to four educational institutes in a handover ceremony.

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Anek Laothamatas told the Bangkok Post on Saturday that ownership of royal title deeds covering more than 100 rai of land along Ratchawithi Road in Dusit district would be handed over to two universities and two schools already located on the land.

Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University will receive title deeds covering more than 60 rai, while Suan Dusit University will be granted more than 37 rai, Mr Anek said, adding that the value of the land was estimated at about 10 billion baht.

He and the presidents of the universities will have an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen at Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace where the handover ceremony will be held. The other two schools -- Rachawinit School (elementary school), and Rajavinit Mathayom School (secondary school) -- will also receive the deeds, Mr Anek said.

His Majesty the King's handover of the deeds was a great boon to the country's education, he said. The land where the universities are located originally belonged to the King and the land is part of Dusit Palace, which is a complex of royal residences.

After the 1932 revolution that saw a change from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, some of the land was used for educational purposes, with the universities built on the land, Mr Anek said.

Apart from the handover of the deeds, the royally-owned land where Dusit Zoo, the country's first public zoo, was once located will be used for the construction of a public hospital.

The zoo was closed on Sept 30, 2018, and is being relocated to a new 300-rai home in Khlong 6, Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi district.

On Oct 4, 2018, the Royal Turf Club of Thailand (RTCT) returned its 102-year-old Nang Loeng racecourse in Dusit district to the Crown Property Bureau (CPB). Mr Anek said that a plan was in place to transform the racecourse into a public park in commemoration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great.

''The land where the universities are located is estimated at 100 million baht per rai. There is almost 100 rai, worth about 10 billion baht,'' Mr Anek said.

He said the land dated back to King Rama I who had the Grand Palace built. The royal residence complex later expanded to areas including Ambara Villa, Chitralada Palace as well as the locations of the Dusit Zoo and the racecourse.

Sirote Phonphanthin, president of Suan Dusit University, told the Bangkok Post the land where the university is located belongs to the Crown Property Bureau. The land was originally owned by King Rama V.

He said the university was grateful that His Majesty attached so much importance to education.

He said the Royal Household Bureau previously told the university that His Majesty did not intend to reclaim the land from the university but would give it to the university instead. Mr Sirote said the university was established 86 years ago and has 8,000 students and 2,000 lecturers and staff.

Supornrat Sattathanachaiphat, director of Rachawinit School, said the handover of the title deeds was great news.

The school, which has 2,400 students, was established in 1966 at the instruction of King Rama IX to provide education to the children of palace officials, she said.

TAT expects not more than 10,000 tourists coming this year - Phuket News

 TAT expects not more than 10,000 tourists coming this year

PHUKET: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn has announced that his agency believes the number of tourists coming to Thailand will not exceed the 10,000 mark by year's end.

The announcement came yesterday (Nov 19), as the TAT chief confirmed that the mandatory quarantine period had not yet been reduced to 10 days, and that Phuket and Koh Samui had both been chosen to pilot a domestic tourism stimulus plan to host government conferences.

Governor Yuthasak explained that the Ministry of Public Health's proposal to reduce the mandatory quarantine for international arrivals from 14 days had been denied.

Citing studies from abroad, the ministry had proposed to reduce the quarantine for tourists to 10 days' confinement at an Alternative Local Quarantine (ALQ) with arrivals allowed into public areas for the final four days while being tracked.

"With re-opening the country, we have to think of the safety of our citizens as priority," Mr Yuthasak said.

"The TAT has publicized to foreign tourists that they have to quarantine for 14 days before traveling [within the country], but I do think that the quarantine period being reduced may make it easier for foreign tourists to make the decision to come," Mr Yuthasak added.

"However, we expect not more than 10,000 tourists to come to Thailand by the end of this year," he noted.

Mr Yuthasak also announced that the TAT has been encouraging officials at both the national and local levels of government to hold seminars or events in the tourism-dependent provinces in the coming year in order to compensate the loss of income from the lack of foreign tourists who have not been able to come to Thailand. 

"TAT officers are still studying and making more plans to stimulate tourism in Phuket and Koh Samui as pilot areas, and then we will move to other provinces," Mr Yuthasak said. 

"The tourism support fund for B50-100 billion is still under the consideration by the Ministry of Finance and needs more study," Mr Yuthasak said in passing.

"For domestic tourism, the TAT is looking into adding more privileges for the 'We Travel Together' and the 'Kamlang Jai' campaigns, and will rush to make its proposals to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration [CCSA] in order to stimulate the tourism during the new year holidays," he concluded.

Young protesters add fuel to fire lit by extinguished Future Forward - Bangkok Post

Young protesters add fuel to fire lit by extinguished Future Forward

Rising from the ashes: On Friday, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit visited Surin to campaign ahead of the local elections next month.

After first being inspired by the now-defunct Future Forward Party (FFP), young protesters are now looking to the past as they revive the spirit of the 1932 Siamese Revolution, a forum was told.

The FFP became the third-largest party with 6.3 million votes in the election on March 24 last year. However in February this year, the Constitutional Court dissolved the party and banned its executives from politics for 10 years for accepting 191.3 million baht from an illegitimate source.

Duncan McCargo, the director of the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen, said the FFP provoked a crisis of faith in the country's power structures among the young.

"The FFP was banned, but has morphed into the Progressive Movement to inspire this kind of change which might take a longer time. It is not about a party any more. The party went on with Move Forward. What we have seen since since is a radical agenda of being disruptors taken up by a lot of young people, but it is no longer really Move Forward or Thanathorn [Juangroongruangkit] who is leading the initiative.

"The disruption proposed by Future Forward always had its limitations. It was crafted in such a way to be orange to appeal to the yellow-red divide, and be a broad umbrella to accommodate a lot of people. It is a different kind of politics that has emerged since June when Thailand began to go in a rather different direction," he told the audience.

His remarks came at the launch of the book titled Future Forward: The Rise and Fall of a Thai Political Party at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand last week.

Since June, protesters have come out to press for three demands -- the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, constitutional amendment and monarchy reform. They plan to gather at the Crown Property Bureau on Nov 25 after lawmakers rejected a charter amendment bill proposed by the Internet Dialogue on Law Reform, better known as iLaw.

When asked what will happen next, he wondered whether the student-led movement will gain wider support.

"The lack of consensus is not likely to go away any time soon. Progressives may eventually triumph, but that could be some way off. You might have to wait a number of years for a generational shift to take place if that is the ultimate destination," he said.

Anyarat Chattharakul, the research associate at the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, said students, though inspired by the FFP, are now taking matters into their own hands.

"If there was going to be another party and a free and fair election, the FFP would be one of the models, but we are too old. We don't understand the imagination of Thai youth any more. It will be an improved version of the FFP. Co-founders Thanathorn, Piyabutr [Saengkanokkul], and Pannika [Wanich] will be too conservative for young voters. I think this is a very good trend," she said.

Pitch Pongsawat, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University, echoed their views and dismissed claims that Mr Thanathorn is the mastermind behind the protests.

"What is going on is a revolutionary movement beyond the imagination of the FFP. This was unimaginable last year. The party didn't really mention reform of the monarchy, but it did open Pandora's Box," he said.

Asst Prof Pitch said young protesters are now returning to 1932 [the Siamese Revolution led by Khana Ratsadon] for their idea of what a constitutional monarchy should be like.

"It is different from the 1997 constitutional reform. Now it is the original meaning of 1932 when you want to put the monarchy in check. You didn't see that from the FFP in parliament. It was criticised by progressives a lot. This is a new thing," he said.

When asked where street protests will lead, he said demonstrators are not going to overthrow the system, but create conditions for the elite to negotiate.

"You can now see emerging elites who are also talking about monarchy reform, although in a different manner … They are trying to find another kind of compromise," he said.

FÖR DEN FLYGINTRESSERADE



Nedanstående rader har Google översatt från Thai till engelska.
Källan till det hela är Thai Airways på Facebook.

 Early in the year, the COVID-19 crisis made Suvarnabhumi airport shine with tens of thousands of people in-and-out circulating for 24 hours. Lonely, almost an abandoned airport. Different models of airplanes park in line for long time. Going around the airport is an unprecedented phenomenon.

On the day when ′′ sky is closed People who work in the aviation circle have separated. They are working from home (Work From Home). Some hobbies, some loneliness, some corps studying, add skills or or skills. New job, increase income, gradually adjust to life to a new way (New Normal). While our lives are changed, the plane that every day used to fly takes many people to the world to send them to the world. But it has to be closed to the airport. Haha. How will he be after a month?

A plane with a long-term plan to change the normal maintenance plan to a long-term parking plan called ′′ Longterm Parking Maintenance according to a manual designed by manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing instead. The job looks different. Go on time when the water machine plans to park. For 7 days, it's a normal job. External surface checks measure and controls the humidity in the cabin. Charge the battery to cover the holes around the bird protector or insect. The nest.

But for the week-wide parking (14/30/60/90/120/180 days), the job will be more complex and use more mechanic skills such as lubricating joints, cranks at any point. (Cruising all the time. Head to tail) Rust resistant coating. Exterior metal parts. Use special liquid, coating parts inside engine or startup. Use plastic to cover moisture. Remove wheels, check brake and turn corners. Change the tires or test / order. Shut down some work etc

These events are repeated events that must be done again on an anniversary of every 7 days. The technician will come back to make Package 7 Days again.
(14/30/60/90/120/180 rounds. Other days are also done) according to the law and international repair standards.
For example, FAA of America EASA of Europe JAAA of Japan, the culprit of the airplane mechanic team and engineering team of Thai Airways Technician.

We may have answered that the last 10 months, the 81 airplanes of Thai Airways have not been forgotten or left to stop alone because there is still a team of airplane technicians. ) Keep changing, stop by, walk around and take care of them all the time to prepare the machine. Always waiting to fly on the day when the sky opens ′′ again... 💜

FÖR DEN FLYGINTRESSERADE



What the presidency of Joe Biden will look like for Southeast Asia - The Pattaya News

Opinion: What the presidency of Joe Biden will look like for Southeast Asia

Saturday, 21 November 2020, 14:38

The following is an opinion editorial by guest writer Ong Bo Yang. The opinions and statements within are his own.

President-Elect Joe Biden is likely to become the 46^th President of the United States on January 2021.

The President-Elect will have the unenviable and daunting task of healing divisions within the United States and also rebuild diplomatic relations with other nations, in particular Southeast Asian countries.

President-Elect Biden will have to show greater commitment to ASEAN, where Trump has failed to, by attending ASEAN summits and appointing ambassadors to ASEAN.

Biden has to handle the US-China rivalry and human rights issues properly, as these matters might affect relations with Southeast Asian countries.

Entering the CPTPP would be a strong statement of intent that America is willing to collaborate with countries economically, contrary to during the Trump Administration.

During the Trump Administration, former President Trump did not participate in the majority of high-profile meetings and summits in Southeast Asia, despite the Trump Administration stating that Southeast Asia is a key priority for America.

There were also important diplomatic posts that President Trump left vacant in ASEAN. For example, the Trump Administration failed to appoint in the State Department, ambassadors to Myanmar and Singapore. More shockingly, the administration did not nominate an ambassador to the ASEAN Secretariat, the nerve center of ASEAN based in Jakarta.

These actions have led to the USA's relations and standing with ASEAN deteriorating, with politicians and leaders from Southeast Asian nations expressing concern.

This can also be backed up by studies conducted by Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and the Pew Research Centre in Indonesia where survey respondents show a growing distrust of the United States.

President-Elect Joe Biden will have an uphill task repairing and restoring America's reputation internationally, especially in Southeast Asia.

Nevertheless, Biden will undoubtedly help to foster better relations and partnership with ASEAN.

Former President Barack Obama had taken part in the majority of Southeast Asian summits during his tenure as president. Current President Joe Biden looks set to follow suit, and also revamping the State Department by appointing ambassadors to ASEAN and ASEAN countries.

While Donald Trump had failed to appreciate multilateralism, President-Elect Biden will embrace an open, sustainable and rules-based multilateral system. On page 78 of the 2020 Democratic Party platform, it mentioned that the Biden administration, if elected, will engage more with multilateral organizations such as ASEAN.

Anthony Blinken, Joe Biden's senior advisor also emphasized that President Biden will communicate and partner with ASEAN continually and consistently.

On page 88 of the 2020 Democratic Party Platform, the Biden presidency campaign has pledged to enhance collaboration and partnership with Asia and Southeast Asia countries such as Thailand and the Philippines.

Launching a new age of multilateralism will also help the United States to counter China's influence strategically, by showing the growing significance and standing of ASEAN to the United States and the world.

Several months ago, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked Southeast Asian nations not to be afraid of China and also to take a stance against China's perceived bullying actions.

At times, the Trump Administration appears to be pressuring Southeast Asian countries into choosing sides between America or China.

This has left ASEAN leaders in a difficult situation, where they have constantly maintained their neutral stance.

Furthermore, Singapore's Prime Minister has constantly emphasised that ASEAN countries will not be coerced into taking sides.

Ostensibly, Joe Biden will be less confrontational and more respectful towards China.

However, there is a bipartisan consensus that China is a threat to USA's status as the number one superpower, and a threat to America's national security.

Hence, there will not be a dramatic change in how America deals with China during Biden's Administration, especially America's policy on South China Sea.

Nevertheless, given that President-Elect Biden has decades of foreign policy knowledge and experience, the President will be more careful not to antagonize China nor upset Southeast Asian countries. Biden will balance the interests of America, while embracing the values of diplomacy, multilateralism, peace and stability.

Having predictable and consistent policies, behavior and actions contrary to his predecessor Donald Trump, will also create peace and stability, and a better working relationship with ASEAN.

Other than the US-China rivalry, another issue that might affect relations between USA and ASEAN countries is human rights.

During Donald Trump's stint as president, he was generally not interested in human rights issues.

Former President Barack Obama had touched on human rights issues internationally during his tenure as president. It is likely that Joe Biden will also champion human rights issues more seriously, reviving America's concern about human rights issues.

However, it is of paramount importance for the United States to be extra careful while addressing human rights issues in ASEAN, in order not to harm bilateral ties.

ASEAN leaders do not like being told what to do nor having another country interfere in their domestic affairs. Also, economic sanctions due to human rights issues will upset Southeast Asian countries, where the majority of nations are still developing and need more economic help instead of sanctions.

For instance, Philippines's President Rodrigo Duterte did not enjoy being told what to do about human rights by former President Barack Obama.

Donald Trump had taken America out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017, which had included four ASEAN nations and would have helped America promote its interests strategically in Asia-Pacific.

The remaining members of the TPP ended up forming the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), excluding America.

America being excluded from the TPP would show America's decreasing involvement and importance in economic partnerships.

Furthermore, the TPP would contribute significantly to America's economy.

In 2015, America's trade with TPP members reached more than $1.5 trillion. It is estimated that the TPP will improve the United State's GDP by $130 billion, by the year 2030.

Hence, there is a strong possibility that President-Elect Joe Biden will want to join the CPTPP and relaunch Obama's "pivot" to Asia. It will be a modified version and certainly not Obama 2.0 as Biden needs to carve out his own identity and differentiate from his former boss Barack Obama.

However, it will not be straightforward.

Even though the TPP was agreed during the Obama's administration, Democratic officials have always been cautious about free trade agreements. Hence, it would be an uphill task for President-Elect Biden to convince congress to support joining the CPTPP.

The US-China rivalry will not go away anytime soon. Nevertheless, Southeast Asian citizens can expect more peace and stability with a president that is more composed and measured.

ASEAN can expect deeper relations with the United States as President-Elect Biden prioritises and pays more attention to Southeast Asia.

Thank you.

About the Author:

Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ongboyang

Writer name: Ong Bo Yang

Nationality: Singaporean

I am currently a Master of Science student at the University of Warwick, majoring in Programme and Project Management and have written Op-Eds for 5 ASEAN newspapers, namely Thailand's Bangkok Post & Chiang Rai Times, Cambodia's The Phnom Penh Post, Vietnam's VnExpress, Myanmar's The Myanmar Times.

Photo: Caribbean News